7 Best VPNs for Ethiopia: Speed & Security

Ethiopia has some of the strictest online censorship in the world. Indeed, the country was rated “not free” by Freedom on the Net as recently as 2023. Internet shutdowns, website blocks, and the imprisonment of bloggers are just some of the problems that have plagued Ethiopia in recent years. While the situation improved somewhat following a change of leadership in 2018, Ethiopia’s internet freedom remains highly restricted which is why its an excellent idea to protect yourself by using a VPN.

A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, lets you enjoy unrestricted internet access in Ethiopia while retaining your right to privacy. When you use a VPN, your device’s internet traffic is routed through an encrypted tunnel to the VPN’s server. This provides you with a new, temporary IP address while your actual IP address and physical location are hidden. Not only does this mean you’ll enjoy online anonymity, but it also means you can unblock geo-restricted websites and services from many different countries.

Can’t wait to get started? Here’s a quick summary of the best VPNs for Ethiopia to save you some time.

Best VPNs for Ethiopia:

1. NordVPN: The best VPN for Ethiopia. Strong unblocking. Works with Netflix, Facebook, and WhatsApp. Over 6,000 servers. Highly secure with a strict no-logs policy and Double VPN servers. 30-day money-back guarantee.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly.
2. Surfshark: Best budget VPN for Ethiopia with user-friendly apps and 24/7 support. Unlimited simultaneous connections. Secures your data with encryption and a strict no-logs policy.
3. IPVanish: Unlimited bandwidth for fast streaming and torrenting. Unlimited simultaneous connections. Protects your privacy with encryption and a strict no-logs policy.
4. ExpressVPN:  Servers in 100+ countries. Highly secure service with fast, reliable connections. Unblocks popular social media and streaming services.
5. CyberGhost: Very fast speeds and over 10,000 servers in 100+ countries. No-logs VPN that works with Facebook, WhatsApp, and Netflix US.
6. HideMyAss: Virtual and physical servers in 190 countries, including Ethiopia. Works with Netflix, Facebook, and Twitter. Security includes encryption and IP shuffle.
7. PureVPN: Audited to prove it doesn’t keep any logs. Works with streaming services, including Netflix. Allows 10 simultaneous connections.

How we selected the top VPNs for Ethiopia

With so many VPNs on the market, finding the best VPN for Ethiopia can be overwhelming. We’ve narrowed down the options by selecting VPNs that offer the following key features:

• Servers in dozens of countries worldwide (bonus point for servers in Ethiopia)
• Fast and consistent connections for browsing and streaming
• Very strong security with encryption and a strict no-logs policy
• User-friendly apps for desktop and mobile
• Live chat and email support, preferably available 24/7
• A money-back guarantee so you can try it risk-free

This is just an overview, but you can learn more about how we rank the VPNs we recommend in our VPN testing methodology article.

Best VPNs for Ethiopia: At a glance

We’ve tested and compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for Ethiopia.

Best VPNs for Ethiopia

The following reviews are the result of extensive real-world testing and first-hand experiences. Let’s take a closer look at the providers that continually impress us.

Here’s our list of the best VPNs for Ethiopia:

1. NordVPN

Nov 2024

NordVPN is our number-one choice VPN for Ethiopia. One of the best-known VPNs on the market it offers over 6,000 servers in 100+ countries, it’s a convenient and user-friendly choice. In particular, it has almost 2,000 servers in the US, meaning you can easily access websites and services that have experienced blocks in Ethiopia. This includes Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp. You’ll also be able to stream the likes of Netflix and Disney+. Furthermore, NordVPN lets you connect up to 10 devices simultaneously.

This VPN protects you from everything from hackers to malware thanks to its impressive range of security features. Aside from 256-bit AES encryption and DNS leak protection, NordVPN offers a kill switch and a strict no-logs policy. Better still, specialty Double VPN and Onion Over VPN servers provide you with even greater protection. This is particularly important in countries with strict internet censorship such as Ethiopia. NordVPN’s latest addition is NordLocker — a file encryption tool that helps you store and share files more securely.

NordVPN offers a variety of apps. These are available for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and Android TV. You can have the option of browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox. Manual installation is required in the case of routers.

BEST VPN FOR ETHIOPIA:NordVPN is our #1 choice. A no-logs VPN with over 6,000 servers. Stay safe online in Ethiopia thanks to encryption and Double VPN servers. Works well with social media sites and streaming services. Offers 24/7 live chat support. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full NordVPN review.

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2. Surfshark

Surfshark is an excellent budget provider with a growing network of over 3,200 servers in over 100+. A service with strong accessing ability, it works with social media platforms such as Facebook as well as streaming services including Netflix and HBO. A mix of physical and virtual servers are available while you can also find P2P-optimized servers.

One feature that makes Surfshark stand out from many of its rivals is that it lets you connect an unlimited number of devices simultaneously. This makes it a great option for families. A Surfshark subscription includes 24/7 live chat support and a variety of easy-to-use apps and browser extensions. You can stay safe online in Ethiopia with Surfshark thanks to its use of 256-bit AES encryption and strict no-logs policy. There’s also DNS leak protection, a kill switch, and MultiHop (Double VPN) servers for an extra layer of security.

Surfshark apps are available to download for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, and Amazon Fire TV/Fire Stick. Chrome and Firefox browser extensions are also on offer. Routers can be manually installed.

SECURE ALL YOUR DEVICES:Surfshark doesn’t limit the number of devices you can connect simultaneously. Works with social media platforms as well as Netflix and Disney+. No-logs VPN with Double VPN servers for even greater security. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Surfshark review.

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3. IPVanish

IPVanish offers great speeds as well as servers in dozens of countries, including Nigeria and South Africa. Unlike some free VPNs and ISPs, IPVanish doesn’t throttle your internet connection. Indeed, it offers unlimited bandwidth which makes it highly suitable for any activity, be it streaming or P2P file-sharing. While Twitter and WhatsApp have been blocked in Ethiopia in the past, IPVanish allows you to bypass such restrictions.

When you use IPVanish, you’re able to connect as many devices as you want. You’ll also have access to 24/7 live chat support, which is ideal for novice users. This is a good VPN for Ethiopia because it protects you from the government’s extensive online surveillance with 256-bit AES encryption. There’s also a kill switch feature and protection from DNS leaks, while a strict zero-logs policy helps protect your identity, allowing you to remain anonymous online.

IPVanish apps are available for the following platforms: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Amazon Fire TV/Fire Stick. However, you’ll need to follow manual setup instructions for use with Linux and routers.

UNLIMITED BANDWIDTH:IPVanish offers great speeds for everyday browsing as well as streaming. Bypass internet restrictions in Ethiopia and dozens of countries worldwide. Lets you connect unlimited devices at once and keeps you safe with 256-bit AES encryption. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full IPVanish review.

4. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN has servers in an impressive 100+ countries including Egypt, Kenya, and South Africa. This is a very fast, consistent service that offers unlimited bandwidth. As such, you can easily use it for streaming and torrenting. Indeed, it successfully works with Netflix as well as social media sites that have suffered bans in Ethiopia, such as Facebook and Twitter.

Another reason to recommend ExpressVPN is its overall ease of use. A service that includes 24/7 live chat support, it also offers excellent apps and browser extensions that are very beginner-friendly. Security is extremely important when using a VPN in Ethiopia. Luckily, ExpressVPN offers all of the essentials, including 256-bit AES encryption, protection from DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks, and a kill switch. What’s more, VPN doesn’t log any data that could identify you and allows you to pay anonymously in Bitcoin.

If you choose ExpressVPN, you’ll gain access to apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Linux. You can also download firmware for routers and browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox.

SECURE AND RELIABLE:ExpressVPN is a solid choice. Servers in 100+ countries for easy unblocking of government-censored content in Ethiopia. Very fast speeds for browsing and streaming. Highly secure service with 24/7 support. Try ExpressVPN risk-free thanks to the 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full ExpressVPN review.

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5. CyberGhost

CyberGhost offers a huge network of over 10,000 servers. As yet, it doesn’t offer any servers in Ethiopia, but you can find servers in 100+ other countries, including Nigeria, South Africa, and neighboring Kenya. This makes it extremely easy to unblock content that is government-censored in Ethiopia. One of the main advantages of CyberGhost is its speed. Far faster than many of its rivals, it offers uninterrupted browsing and streaming. Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp are just some of the websites and services that this VPN can unblock.

A single CyberGhost subscription allows you to secure up to seven devices simultaneously. You’ll also have access to 24/7 live chat and email support. CyberGhost’s apps are easy to use and keep you safe with 256-bit AES encryption. DNS and IPv6 leak protection is also included while a kill switch ensures your internet traffic is stopped in the event that the VPN connection drops. Last but not least, CyberGhost has a strict no-logs policy, protecting your online privacy.

CyberGhost apps are available for desktop (Windows and Mac), mobile (Android and iOS), as well as Android TV and Amazon Fire Stick/Fire TV. Chrome and Firefox browser extensions are also available, however, manual setup is required for Linux and routers.

BEST BEGINNER VPN:CyberGhost has more than 10,000 servers for unblocking restricted content worldwide. Stay safe online in Ethiopia thanks to its strict no-logs policy and encryption. Works with Facebook, Twitter, Netflix US, and more. 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full CyberGhost review.

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6. HideMyAss

HideMyAss (HMA!) offers more servers in more virtual countries than any other VPN provider. All in all, its network of over 1,000 servers covers some 210 countries — far more than most VPNs. Notably, HMA! has servers (virtual or physical) in over 50 African countries, including two servers and six IP addresses in Gondar, Ethiopia. This is a VPN that offers very fast and consistent servers, allowing you to stream Netflix US, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and more.

This VPN offers P2P-optimized servers and lets you have up to five simultaneous connections. It also offers fast and efficient customer support, available 24/7 via live chat. HMA includes plenty of security features to keep you safe online, whether you’re browsing in Ethiopia or abroad. These include 256-bit AES encryption, DNS leak protection, and a kill switch. While HMA! does log IP addresses, it at least offers an IP shuffle feature that randomizes your IP address as often as every 10 minutes, making it harder to track your location.

You can connect to a HideMyAss Ethiopian server via the apps for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. It can also be configured manually with Linux as well as some routers.

SERVERS IN ETHIOPIA:HideMyAss offers servers in Ethiopia for bypassing online censorship. Physical and virtual servers in 210 countries globally. Use it to unblock Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Offers 24/7 support, encryption and an IP shuffle feature. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full HideMyAss review.

7. PureVPN

PureVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands, a location that is out of reach of invasive jurisdictions like the US, the UK, and the EU. The VPN has a large network of over 6,000 servers in 65+ countries, including South Africa. Making it ideal for accessing geo-restricted content. It works with an impressive number of streaming services, including Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, and Peacock.

Despite being one of the cheapest premium VPNs we have encountered, PureVPN packs a punch in terms of privacy and security. This makes it safe to use for bypassing government blocks, preventing online surveillance, and gaining security on public wifi. These security features include a solid no-logs policy, AES encryption, a choice of protocols, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection.

PureVPN’s simple, intuitive apps are offered for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. It’s also compatible with Linux and select routers (manual installation is required), as well as Amazon Fire TV and Fire Stick devices. Browser extensions are available for Chrome and Firefox.

GREAT VALUE:PureVPN allows 10 simultaneous connections. It has servers in 65 countries, good speeds for streaming Netflix, strong security with encryption and an independently verified no-logs policy. 31-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full PureVPN review.

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How to use a VPN in Ethiopia

Using a VPN in Ethiopia is the same as in any other country. What’s more, it’s surprisingly quick and easy.

Here’s how to use a VPN in Ethiopia:

1. Sign up with one of the best VPNs for Ethiopia. We particularly recommend NordVPN.
2. Download and install the appropriate VPN app or browser extension for your device.
3. Open the app or browser extension and connect to a server in the country from which you want to browse. For example, Ethiopia or the United States. This will change your IP address, making it appear as though you’re in a different location.
4. You’re now connected, which means you can enjoy the internet without censorship! If some content is still blocked, clear your browser’s cookies to ensure changes take effect.

Why it’s wise to use a VPN in Ethiopia

If you’re in Ethiopia, you’ve no doubt encountered all sorts of internet restrictions. Since 2015, anti-government protests have seen the Ethiopian government employ heavy-handed tactics in an attempt to suppress political and social unrest. Protesters and bloggers were arrested on terrorism charges in many cases. Furthermore, popular social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter were blocked on multiple occasions.

Fortunately, the situation in Ethiopia improved following the resignation of former Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn in February 2018. The release of imprisoned bloggers and the appointment of Abiy Ahmed has been followed by a transition from authoritarianism and the promise of democratic reforms. Despite this, Ethiopia still has a number of repressive laws that grant the government extensive surveillance powers and restrict freedom of expression.

A VPN lets you bypass the internet blocks and access social media sites, Ethiopian news websites, and political party websites without restriction. Just as important, the best VPNs for Ethiopia protect you from pervasive government surveillance. The Computer Crime Proclamation allows real-time monitoring and interception of communications. What’s more, the law obliges ISPs to log communications and metadata for a minimum of one year.

By choosing a VPN that uses encryption to secure your data from prying eyes, you can browse the web with peace of mind. Be sure also to choose a VPN that offers a true no-logs policy so that there is no record of your online activity. In summary, you need a VPN in Ethiopia so you can enjoy unrestricted internet access and unrivaled privacy and anonymity.

Using a free VPN in Ethiopia: the risks

We strongly advise against the use of free VPNs, particularly in a country with strict internet censorship such as Ethiopia. For starters, the average free VPN has a very small network of servers in a limited number of countries. This makes it more difficult to find an appropriate server for unblocking region-locked content. It also means that server speeds are slower due to the heavy load from a high number of users.

Bear in mind that very few free VPNs offer servers in Ethiopia or even in Africa. So if you want to unblock restricted Ethiopian content from abroad, you’ll have to look elsewhere. When it comes to features, free VPNs are very limited. You may not be able to connect multiple devices simultaneously, while there may not be customer support to help if you encounter a problem.

However, the most important reason to avoid a free VPN in Ethiopia is security. Many free VPNs lack the most basic security features. For example, a free VPN may not secure your data with encryption. This is particularly risky in Ethiopia where online surveillance is particularly prevalent. Some free VPN services log your data and sell it to third parties.

In contrast, the best VPNs for Ethiopia safeguard your data, prevent leaks, and don’t log your data. This allows you to maintain your online privacy and anonymity in Ethiopia or anywhere in the world.

Using a VPN in Ethiopia: FAQs